Lil' Beethoven

Lil' Beethoven is the nineteenth studio album by the American rock duo Sparks, released on October 14, 2002. Written and produced by brothers Ron and Russell Mael, the album marked a radical departure from the predominantly electronic, beat-driven sound that characterised much of their work during the 1980s and 1990s. On Lil' Beethoven, Sparks largely abandoned conventional rhythm in favour of repetitive, loop-based song structures reminiscent of minimalist music. The arrangements employ piano, layered choral vocals, and orchestral textures, with live drums and percussion used sparingly.